Smart Russell Square Hostel

6.4

Fair

412 Guest reviews

6.4

Fair

412 Verified Reviews

Read all reviews

Cleanliness6.4/10

Service6.8/10

Comfort5.6/10

Condition6.2/10

location7.6/10

Neighborhood8.2/10

Amenities6.6/10

Nice place to stay

Standard dorm

Hostels always appear on my searches, so thought I'd hive one a go. It's what you would expect from a hostel, toilet and shower shared between the 9 of us in the dorm. Ladder up maybe could be better, lockers where very large, could do with some more hooks for towels (don't forget to bring your own) and better shoe storage. No food allowed in the room, although some ignored that. Note that it's age restricted to 18-45 years old only.

Good place to stay in the middle of London.

It was a reasonably priced place to stay for a night or two, right where I needed to be. If you don’t plan on spending time in your lodgings, then this is a good choice as a place to sleep and store your belongings. I was in an 8 room dorm en suit, so my experience was dependent on my roommates, which was mostly ok. The bathroom shower/sink/toilet were clean, and there was an additional sink in room. The locker fit my stupidly overflowing suitcase, and the bunk was comfy enough. The only issue was the room itself was stifling with no airflow, which made the bunk feel claustrophobic and hot, despite there being a weak fan to circulate air by the bathroom. I imagine that’s not an issue during other times of the year. If you run hot when you sleep, bring a small usb fan, I wish I did lol. Keep in mind there’s no lift. That’s not a complaint, just a reminder. I was assigned to a dorm four flights up and have a bad knee, so that sucked. It didn’t occur to me to check about stairs beforehand. That’s my fault.

The hostel is conveniently located, within walking distance to theaters, museums and many tourist attraction sites. Will recommend to others.

This was cheap and cheerful. Excellent value for money stay in a set of bunk beds with en-suite for less £100 in the centre of London near tube station and walking distance to all the attractions. Thank you

Comfortable beds with curtains; quiet 'atmosphere', clean enough conditions. Good staying.

Like many other reviewers, I have to complain about the metal drawers at the bottom of the bunk beds. I thought I'd be ok with it because I usually wear earplugs. But those noises are unavoidable unless you put on shooting ear mufflers. I constantly woke up at night due to that noise and wasn't able to sleep well during my 3 day stay there. Although they offered the cheapest price for a great location, I would have picked a different place where I can at least sleep through the night.

Great location.

Beds are too congested and small. reception guy will not let you seat in reception area unless you check-in.. found so rude behaviour..

Was a really nice hostel with good facilities. The bathrooms were really clean and the dorms were nice too.

awesome just extremely boiling

It's a Hostel, you get what you pay for. The free breakfast was a nice little surprise. The private room met the needs of us both, although basic.

Stay in London

I was very impressed with my stay. The best feature (not seen elsewhere before) were the adjustable curtains to each bed! Great idea!

Great

We booked a twin room (bunk bed) for just one night. Two main issues arose during our stay, the bed sizes and noise in the rooms. When we booked (on Expedia) at no point were we informed that the beds in this hotel are max 1.8 meters length. As someone 1.90, it was literally impossible to sleep comfortably, only with legs bent. During our stay, we also experienced intolerable noise levels in the room. I understand that this is a hostel, but the management’s tolerance of noise was irritating, to say the least. Between the hours 23:00-2:30, our room was filled with loud yelling and general party noises (running, music, etc.). It was loud enough to wake us multiple times, and prevent restful sleep. We also couldn’t tell whether it was in the hallway outside our room, or the floor above. Either way, it seems soundproofing is lacking. When we complained the next day, staff acknowledged the issue, but were not apologetic, and openly had a “So what?” attitude. Would not recommend booking here if you’re looking to sleep, despite the low prices.

There are a lot of better hostels in London...

No fresh air can be good for downstairs rooms and shower needs to upgrade

Attention at the front desk was amazing, had an issue when I got to my room and the smell was so bad i was about to puke (due the people in there) i was ready lo leave the place but the guy at the front desk was super kind and made sure i got another room i was happy with.

Great location and easy stay

It was good enough for this price. I would stay again!

Great Stay

This is a very good location. It is right next to a train station and a shopping mall with a grocery store. It is also surrounded by some of the best museums in the world.....which are free at this time. There is also a large room on first floor to hang out and “recharge” both yourself and electronic devises. TV and kitchen available. This is a nice extra feature many hostels do not have. Great staff, helpful and hardworking. They went out of their way to help me out when I needed anything.

Privacy curtains to bunks are useful but each bunk would be better with its own small reading light. I was on the third floor and there is no lift.

The bathroom is tiny and the lock system is flimsy.

One of the best hostels in london. Good location, clesn and modern

Outage of wifi

I used it before which gave me confidence t9 come again but it was boring this time due to wifi outage for all my stay.

A reasonably decent option

Your slightly better-than-average hostal that, outside of a bed curtain (for dormatory beds), will neither impress nor disappoint you. AC would've been nice, tho I wonder how important AC will be for the average traveler. I mean how often does a traveler land in London in the middle of a heatwave? Good location, friendly staff. I'd stay here again. But buyer be prepared to bring a little cash for that bath towels, shower soaps, and lockers are charged items.

Water is push button amd only stays on for 2 seconds. Its really hot and hard to change it

There is no air shower and some of them no hot water or lights also rooms are messy Which bed is yours confuses no number Everything charges even lockers

Staff could not do do enough for me. The room was fine. It was hot. I stayed in a female only room which allowed me to wear less in bed so it help cool down abit Breakfast was good for the cost. Would stay. Again

Booked a disabled bed (low bunk) little did I know that it was on the third floor with no lift. Why on earth my booking was accepted I do not know. No information given to me about lockers and wifi. Brilliant place to stay otherwise.

extremely overcrowded and its super pricey for a bidget traveller. have to pay so much just get a locker, not worth it. i shouldve paid a little more to get a much more decent place. i would say that the one thing good about this spot is that its very close to the ST pancras international

Buen hostal

El lugar es cómodo, cumple con la d unción de Solo ir a dormir, no está cerca de las atracciones turísticas Más importantes para ir caminando pero justo atrás hay una estación de tren

You deleted what I wrote. The best hostel I have so far found. Compact (caravan style) en-suite shower room was v clean and useable. Not so easy to make up bed with supplied flat sheets but imminently practical.

The common room is not to the best, the chairs is not comfortable.

Horrible Stay

It was the worst stay out of all the times I stayed in a hostel. My skin felt itchy as soon as I got on my bunk bed - imagine the hygiene level. Staff was not friendly at all.

The property was surprisingly quiet. After an issue at check in where i did not have a bed, I was able to get some rest before moving on to see London. The bathroom was almost to tiny to turn around in and I had to climb up to the top bunk which squeaked when I moved.

Never again

Small bed smells bad in rooms not the best experience but I suppose you get what you pay for

Not very nice

Access denied for person with Disabilities

I left without staying both mobility and safe access to room, what was considered a mattress and bath is why I left the establishment. The room was way overpriced for what was offered. I asked the front desk if there was a lift. There was no lift room was eight flights of stairs up. I felt that I could not safely navigate the stairs with 2 large suit case and a small one. When asked about assistance with this the staff did not respond. I did view the room there was a thin 3" foam "mattress". It was not only a comfort issue but a back issue that I did not want inflamed. Also, the bath had a smooth floor an open shower in a very small space. I was worried about slipping when the floor was wet. I arranged for a stay at another hotel shortly after my arrival. I was asked when I left if it was the room or the people. I didn't respond. I'd already made it clear it was mobility and safe access. But "the people the agent became an issue when the two front desk agents were heard sharing that two gets had brawled. I told that I'd have to pay for the stay and was offered no compensation. Location was the primary reason for staying here the room price of over 100 euros was indeed not deserved. This establishment was not in keeping with my other stays with Hotel.com. Information is essential when it comes to access and safety for all as well as persons with physical disabilities. I'd appreciate a response from Hotels.com as a service provider.

Ok nesr to euston ish . Clean not bad facility grt value for money

Very good value

It was an inexpensive, comfortable and surprisingly quiet place to sleep for a couple of nights after exploring London

Terrible considion, overcrowded

This is by far, the worst hostel I have stayed in, and I been been to well over 30 different hostels. Rooms are small, beds are triple stacked with almost no space in between, rooms are dirty and stinks of bad smell. The size of the toilet make me think I'm in a airplane. If there's a fire in the middle of the night a lot people won't make it out in time.

good location but poor wifi connection

if you want to use wifi dont use this hostel also so many shower rooms were broken

Location is very good, underground & supermarket , restaurant just behind, but I paid the room from eight beds with private bathroom/washroom change to 9 beds without bathroom/washroom. The staff 8 beds selloff.

Economical & basic, but overall a decent stay.

Pros- Close to amenities. The tube, Euston and Oxford street are within a reasonable proximity etc. Communal area is a decent size. Reasonably clean. Economical. Breakfast available (all be it basic). Cons- slow at front desk. Front desk doesn’t explain about kitchen access, communal area etc. If first time at a hostel, a bit of information would benefit.

The upper beds are extremely too high, It was so difficult to reach it and took stuff. Room is way too small to accommodate the number it should do. Although there are two sinks in the bathroom but the space only allows one person to stand. Public area is big and nice full of power station.

Russell square

It served its purpose, on 3rd floor, no lift! Area was great. Thank you

NIce as a price

Experience in Smart RS

The location was very good. The condition of the hostal could be better, I suggest you to change the carpets into sintetic wood floor, also add a material for the noise, better room service, better breakfast (add ham or eggs) and if the costumer couldn't take all the breakfast that were included in the option in hotels.com, return the money of those.

Estancia en Smart RS

The location was perfect, the service poor, it needs to be renovated, like changing the floors and carpets, may be find a specific material for the noise. More options of breakfast (like ham or egg) if we couldn't take all the breakfast return the money of that service. Instead of carpets, sintetic wood floor. The experience wasnt very good, due to a lot of noise, the room service poor.

Satying at Small RS

The location was perfect, the service poor, it needs to be renovated, like changing the floors and carpets, may be find a specific material for the noise. More options of breakfast (like ham or egg) if we couldn't take all the breakfast return the money of that service. Instead of carpets, sintetic wood floor, change the main stairs.

Passable but no better

When checking in we queued at the desk with two staff in position. One was ssisting another guest but it was unclear what the second was doing. It certainly wasnt checking us in for more than 10 minutes. A fine wait had there been more than one person ahead of us and only one member of staff but quite disagreeable in this case. Beds were uncomfortable but did have individual curtains for privacy. The property was not unclean but also could have been cleaner. Although breakfast advertised at time of booking an ill named 'polite notice' advised from April 1st it was now charged. It was an embarrasing breakfast to be charged for so is one to miss. For money and location it was acceptable but given the vast number of options in London I would not choose to stay here again

Simple cheap stay

Only needed one night stay so something simple like this was ok. The building is in need of a little renovation, especially the staircase which felt a little uneven. I liked that the beds had curtains so you are disturbed a little less when people come in and out while you are sleeping. One thing that could be implemented is the use of a bedside shelf; as someone who wears glasses I had nowhere to put mine at night, and resorted to putting them in my shoes, thankfully I was on a lower bunk.

Good central location. Friendly helpful staff.

Good experience from check in to check out. Staff and guests are all friendly and helpful.

The beds were pretty tiny and uncomfortable. It would be nice if you didn't have to pay for towels, breakfast, and things of that nature.

Fantastic location. Good place to rest your head whilst exploring London.

Amazing place to stay, worth the price!

Stayed for 4 nights and it was totally worth the money! - Stairs - Staff seemed a bit misorganised and tired - There were some problems with my keycard - The room was constantly either too hot or cold (open window) + Really clean and things worked + Nice people and staff, especially a few of the receptionists were super helpful and polite + 24h reception! + Well equipped kitchen + Big and cheap lockers + The common area was big but homey + Surprisingly quiet + Location: There is only a few minutes walk to the underground station, a wide selection of grocery stores and cafes, and a nice park with an cafe (good for brunch!). The British Museum, Oxford Street, Covent Garden and King's Cross station are within a 15-minute walk. The area seemed quite safe, and as an young woman walking alone even in the night, I didn't experience any threatening situations. Would stay again and recommend to almost everyone seeking a cheap place to stay in London. There were flaws, but for 10£/night they weren't remarkable. The only occassions when I wouldn't recommend this place would be if you are a light sleeper (the temperature of the room can be annoying), or have any movement problems (the stairs are really long, there are bunk beds with ladders), but otherwise a perfect place to stay if you're travelling on a budget, and you'll probably make many new friends!

We had to leave

Horrible experience, I have never seen a worst hotel than this one. They really had to make money out of everything we had a locker with us and we had to pay for an electronic one and it was broken. The room was horribly small and the toilets were dirty. We had to make our own bed which was fine with the exception that since it was a 3 bed bunk bed it was impossible to make a bed if you were on the third bed up. We asked to change the room and to pay the difference and they told us that was impossible since we booked with ebookers and when we asked to book for another room it was horribly expensive.Never ever go there. Horrible experience

Staff were very helpful and the accommodation was a terrific value for the money.

Not impressed

Surprisingly you are given sheets and have to lay your bed yourself. Unacceptable! Other hostels at the same price, or even cheaper, lay beds. Heaven help you if you happen to be on the highest bunk. You also have to peel off the sheets and return to reception on checkout. Then you are charged for each piece of luggage you store on check out. Even if the second piece is a small handbag. This should be per customer. Ive been to other hostels and don't recall ever being so surprised. Overall wasn't impressed. Wont stay again.

Close to metro

Hard to get around hostel if have bags or disabled!

Central hostel for London sightseeing

Nice clean accomodation but rooms were a bit stuffy. Great location

Worst hostel I've ever been in

There's almost nothing positive to say about Smart Russell Square Hostel, except that the staff were ok. When I was assigned a room, I was handed some sheets for the bed. They'd run out of pillow cases and asked if I was ok to get an extra sheet to wrap around the pillow. The locker in the room was not free. I paid an extra £1 for it. I was given a sheet of paper to tape to a bunk to indicate which bed I'd taken. The first problem was that when I got to the room, all the beds appeared to be taken. The locker I paid for was also broken and in that locker, I found a bunch of underwear and a toothbrush. I was assigned another room by reception that was better but still substandard (it smelled of smelly shoes, wet towels and food). I seriously considered finding another hotel at that point, but I was so tired after a long day and made my bed slept till it was daybreak and left as quickly as I could.

Nice hostel in central London

If you're on a budget and especially traveling alone, I think this is pretty reasonable and saves you lots of money. It's in central London and close to all the attractions in central London itself- in fact most are within walking distance if you'd like to walk. Moreover it's proximity to the Russel square tube station is a plus.

By far the worst place I've ever had to stay in.

By far the worst place I've ever had to stay in. Rooms are really dirty, looks like no one could be bothered to hoover for ages! Not to mention shared bathrooms. Just about this place look for something else there is plany places to stay in London.

Not for tall people

Shower was either scalding hot or freezing cold. The front desk staff was dismissive when I told them about it. I couldn't physically fit on the bed. I'm 6 ft and 5 inches and it was not even close. I told the front desk staff and they said sorry, but I couldn't get my money back. I came back the next day, and the manager was there, he was able to cancel the remainder of my reservation said I wouldn't be charged. Still didn't help considering what I'd already been through. The hotel try's to nickle and dime you for everything. Two examples are if you want a late check out, or if you want to leave your bag in the bag closet while you wait on a flight. I've stayed in hostels all over the world and this one was nothing special.

Budget hostel at London prices.

It's a budget hostel at London prices. You get what you pay for, so don't book expecting the Ritz. But if it is a cheap night in London and all you really want is a bed and shower, this is suitable.

Smart exciting // smart Russell square

Was so good almost amazing // started with staff at the reception. I feel so comfortable that I've got to start to book a room ; so if it became consistent they good standard then it will became my regular place. Because my work place is just round the corner.

Weekender

Visiting the Roundhouse, Camden, London for a concert, and the V&A Museum the day afterwards.

Very Disappointing!

We booked a private room for 2 people. We knew the room would be small but there was literally no where to put cloths. No wardrobe, no cupboard, no draws and not even a hook. As the room was the size of a cupboard, the floor space was too small to leave anything on as it would have been a trip hazard. So the only place to put our clothes was under the bottom of the bunk bed. The service from the reception staff was poor. Unfriendly and uninterested in our needs. The noise within the building in the middle of the night was like a zoo. Late night revellers coming and going, talking loudly in their rooms with doors banging and people moving along corridors and up/down stairs. We lost many hours sleep. The breakfast was very poor. The only good thing about this hostel is the location.

dust and rude people

Dust everywhere from building works rude reception staff no free lockers like you say in your description breakfast was fair

Hostel right next to the tube

My second night of staying here was not very good. Children were thundering up and down the stairs with no one telling them to watch their volume, they kept it up for over an hour it was awful. After a long day, all you want is some sleep and I did not get that with an added bonus of a drunk guy snoring so loudly in the room you could hear it from outside the room. Not a very comfortable place to stay, but cheap.

Great Location!

It's just as described, nothing more, very good location, if you only need a bed this is your place! Nothing fancy but good enough for the price... The great thing is where it located, next to a tube Station, shop and supermarket.

Russell Square

I am not a big fan of Smart Hostels as the headroom in the triple tier bunks is too low. The room was too compact to easily support 3 x triple tier bunks. Shower and toilet facilities were good, staff were very nice and helpful. Hostel is generally clean.

well run hostel

had no problems and would stay again

I stayed in the top bed of a triple bunk bed. It was rather hot, probably because it was close to the lamp. The room is also small, there was barely space to rearrange my luggage. The shower room is like the one in the sport club, there was no place to keep the shampoo and soap during showering. In the evening, the toilets were dirty (there was s**t in the floor). We can store the luggage for 2 pounds for each bag. The wifi was also disappointing. I couldn't even load facebook and tripadvisor. The breakfast was nice, though (cereal, bread, and juice). It is also very close to Euston St. and Russel Square St.

Cleanness and frendly staff are good. But sometimes I couldn't use hot water.

No heater, Cold shower, uncomfortable bed

Only cold shower was available at the men shower. Shower area was disgusting. The bad is really uncomfortable. No heater in the room, perfect in winter Doors are really noisy. 10 Pounds key deposit (cash only) just a joke -find a cashpoint to get your key. WIFI is not so fast.

Convenient

It would be good to have some women only accomadation

Hostel at a reasonable price in great location

As a place to put down my head for the night it was ok. The location was excellent and I wasn't expecting much based upon the price. However upon arrival it turned out that they had run out of pillow cases and while I was grateful to the staff for giving me an extra sheet to wrap my pillow in I would rather have had a pillow case. Also, my experience of the wifi was very flaky, my suspicion is that it cannot handle the quantity of people trying to use it.

Adequate for £16 a night in central London.

Clean ,premises, helpful staff on duty 24/24, only drawback, no place to sit and read/study/... but at the price, AOK

reasonable cheap stay

shower water is way too hot

Convienent, budget option.

I was arriving late to London and had an early morning meeting to attend. Smart Russell square is a hostel. I had a private room with an end suite. It was good for my purpose, as I had privacy, security and my own bathroom. It was a little noisy, but I expected that as is is basically a youth hostel. But it quieter down as it got later. Very central and easy to find. It was two thirds cheaper than any of the other well known "budget" hotels near to Euston. Suited my purpose.

Over priced rubbish

Expensive and tiny room with no room for our luggage at all, tiny bathroom we were banging out knees on the on the sink while sitting in the toilet. Kitchen was filthy and the fridges were a hot mess and stunk. Staff were on the whole very unfriendly.

Friendly service and a good stay

All parts of the stay were easy to navigate: check-in/out, renting a locker, leaving luggage, etc. The staff was really friendly and there was always someone at the front desk. There were constantly people cleaning, and I was impressed by how clean they kept everything given how busy and crowded it could get. One thing I wish I'd known in advance was that everything except the accommodation fee needs to be paid in cash, including the mandatory deposit. Bring a bit of cash! (In pounds. My other small complaint would be that the exchange rate the hostel gives you sucks, but it was really my own fault for not thinking to have any local currency on me).

Great location.

The hostel location was very good, despite the difficulties in the area when we were staying. The staff were friendly and helpful. Breakfast was basic but fine. The wifi didn't work in our room which was frustrating and the room was three floors up with no lift so not great for people with mobility issues.

Does the job nicely.

Nice, friendly and efficient staff made staying here a breeze. Perfect for a stop-over to get you to where you need to be. Not far from the centre of London, with both Russel Square and Holborn tube stations nearby.

Spend a bit more and go somewhere else - awful!

What a cr*phouse. Sh*tty staff, sh*tty building, horrendous bathroom and shower facilities. and poor beds/dorms. Can't even name one positive aside from free wifi, which most places offer anyway. Will never come back that's for sure

Basic, low cost accommodation in great location

Very simple but great value for money. We stayed in an en-suite twin room, which was small but clean and comfortable enough. Some noise from other guests and outside overnight but nothing that kept us awake. Within walking distance of Euston station and easy walk on a nice day to plenty of London sites. Breakfast very basic cereal/ toast/ hot beverages, enough to set you up for the day ahead. Recommended for the price and I would definitely choose again.

.

Clean hostel in great location. Staff were helpful but seemed very disinterested in the check in and out process which was disappointing. I'm used to fun front of house staff at hostels but here everyone was just bored. Otherwise a great location, clean hostel. Great having private curtains. Could benefit from more charging spots in the room.

Russell Square Hostel, truly cosmopolitan.

It's a good hostel for a short stay in the London and it does have a cosmopolitan nature, as it is a point of call for young foreign visitors in all parts of the world to London.

Low cost Hostel in Central London

Overnight stay at low cost for a 2 day conference

cool

Stayed in a 6 person room (two three layered bunks). A basic breakfast was provided. Everything was good and expected except that the men's showers were closed 3/5 days I stayed... and the sink in the room was a bit leaky.

Not So Great

Avoid if at all posible. Was a very depressing stay. Room full of long time residents.Bunks 3 high. Lots of noise. Hostel Mgt could give a better effort

As horrible and cold as the showers.

The room was dirty. There was only one outlet in the room. They charge you extra for everything. To leave your phone in a lock box at night to charge, was extra. And they didn't charge my phone! To use a locker in your room costs extra too. To use the luggage room costs extra too. The breakfast was a joke. Cereal and toast. That's all. And a cranberry juice cocktail and orange drink. Not orange juice. Orange drink.

Quite unpleasant.

Unless you are a backpacker under 24, don't even think about it. Icky.

Good when in a pinch

The Smart Russell Square Hostel was a decent place to stay. By no means was it That Ritz but also it was not a complete dive. The staff are friendly, but do not go above snd beyond to provide services to their guests. The rooms are a fair size, but do not have enough electrical outlets for everyone in the room to use. The bathrooms were kept clean and useable, but more sinks, counter space ans mirrors would make gettimf ready easier. The lounge lacks a source of entertainmemt but provides a good space for sitting and eating.

Damos stay

I stayed here as was flying from Stansted airport the next day. The staff were very respectful and helpful. Martina.the polish girl was very nice,friendly,open,helpful and pretty. And her smile is amazing. I also made some new friends. Would definitely give this place 5/5 Thanks guys

Not a bad deal.

5 euro charge for safe storage under bed. They are very loud! Unfortunately some else had to open the locker under my head at 1am. Beds are really tiny. Bunks are 3 high, ok for me, but some people didn't like it. Tiny windows, no air circulation, bathrooms are dirty.... but it's incredibly cheap in a great location. Worth it if you aren't worried about comfort.